China Unveils Plan to Tie Hong Kong, Macau Closer to Mainland - <AUTHOR> https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-18/china-unveils-plan-to-tie-hong-kong-macau-closer-to-mainland <comment><USER2> Here's an interactive map of the growing Pearl River Delta megalopolis: [https://geoshen.com/posts/the-pearl-river-delta- megalopolis](https://geoshen.com/posts/the-pearl-river-delta-megalopolis)

<comment><USER3> >The PRD megalopolis is an urban area of gargantuan proportions with few like it in existance.

>It's home to 65 million people, a population similar to that of the United Kingdom.

>It covers an area around 55,000 km^2, about the size of the country of Croatia.

>The GDP of the PRD megalopolis clocks in at over $1.2 trillion, about the same as Mexico.

Well damn, I live in Croatia, can't even make a mental image of that amount of people. For comparison its the same area size as New York state with over 3x the population.

<comment><USER4> And Croatia's town (like Split) leaves impression like a really crowded place. At least for me as person from North Europe country.

<comment><USER3> You can't really take the one of the most visited and touristy places in Croatia and consider it the average.

By comparison the largest city Zagreb of about a million people, which is a quarter of the entire population, has the density of 1300 people per km2, that's about 1/3 or 1/4 of the pop. density of Berlin or Stockholm.

Compared to Norway which is the least populated country on the continent, Croatia has the same population in 20% of the space.

<comment><USER5> But it's not just tourists. I had an internship at the uni in Split, and that thing has like 10 floors.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER6> I heard from a Chinese legal academic that when China is diplomatically isolated, the two provinces tend to be left alone to enjoy the benefits of their independent foreign ties. When China is more politically feeling comfortable, that is when the pressure for conformity tends to come from Beijing.

<comment><USER7> The opposite seems to be true right now. China's relations with the West are a bit strained at the moment.

<comment><USER8> That's unavoidable actually. Basically US just begins to treat China as an eligible opponent.

There were never "friendly" relationships between two superpowers in history if I remember correctly.

<comment><USER9> There were, up to a point. France and the UK carved up several continents without much tension, after 1850 or so.

Provided that China becomes less authoritarian and the US doesn't do something stupid, it's not impossible for both to coexist, while still competing.

<comment><USER7> The US doesn't care about authoritarianism. They're friendly with plenty of authoritarian states. The issue is that China is pursuing an independent foreign policy instead of following America's lead.

<comment><USER10> "The issue is that China is pursuing an independent foreign policy instead of following America's lead."

The issue is mostly China grabbing international waters like the S. China Sea as sovereign territory, grabbing Taiwan, pressuring Japan and neighbouring states, and building what will eventually be a string of military bases throughout East and South Asian oceans.

The US, in comparison, makes sure that _everyone_ \- including adversaries like China, Russia and Iran - can navigate the Suez, the Panama Canal, Red Sea, Arab/Persian Gulf, S. China Sea, Straits of Taiwan etc.

There would be zero problems, and US Navy presence in Asia would be minimal if China wasn't trying to hustle this outside it's borders.

And FYI Americans do care about authoritarianism, and there is constant pressure on places like Saudi to reform (and FYI there are steady reforms), though yes, it's very secondary.

The paradox is that China is pursuing a macho 'we're the local king' strategy much like Russia, when for it's own benefit, the military escapades are not fruitful. Maybe in China's case there are some advantages, though almost none in the case of Russia.

The new Belt-and-Road strategy is an example of a good project that will have immensely positive results for most players - shenanigans aside. Nobody is against any of this, we are all for it, except for the shifty things like debt-traps to grab ownerships of ports, which will eventually be Chinese navy bases.

China will continue to pursue the authoritarian entrapment of the citizens of HK and Macau, and of course Taiwan, which isn't good for anyone really.

<comment><USER7> >>> The US, in comparison, makes sure that everyone - including adversaries like China, Russia and Iran - can navigate the Suez, the Panama Canal, Red Sea, Arab/Persian Gulf, S. China Sea, Straits of Taiwan etc.

Right now they do. But if conflict breaks out between China and the US you can guarantee the US will use its navy to block all trade with China. This puts China in a very vulnerable position, which is why they're willing to risk upsetting neighbours by aggressively pursuing bases in the South China Sea (as well as the Belt and Road project).

>>> There would be zero problems, and US Navy presence in Asia would be minimal if China wasn't trying to hustle this outside it's borders.

Why do you think that?

>>> China will continue to pursue the authoritarian entrapment of the citizens of HK and Macau, and of course Taiwan, which isn't good for anyone really.

My wife is Taiwanese so I understand the situation pretty well. I just think it's a mistake to put this down to ideology or democracy versus authorianism. It's just two states vying for power, the same thing that's been going since forever.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER11> Scary from an investment perspective. Imagine having property rights under Hong Kong law transitioned to the lawlessness of Beijing.

<comment><USER12> This has been true going all the way back to before the handover was announced. Imagine having property rights under the United Kingdom and no clear transition plan in the mid 90s? This has been the reality in Hong Kong for a generation. I'm very curious to see how this evolves as we move forward.

<comment><USER13> So, we in the UK have a history of not having clear transition plans.

<comment><USER14> And a future too apparently...

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER15> Honest question for someone who doesn't know the area well..

Macau and HK are both Cantonese speaking regions. Given that the Infrastructure updates in the area make everything "closer" (in terms of travel time etc), what impact is this having on language?

Is this a Montreal type thing where most people are bilingual enough where it doesn't matter? Is Cantonese a de-facto street language in these South Chinese cities even if Mandarin is the official language?

<comment><USER16> We have an existing example to extrapolate from. Cantonese is the native dialect in Guangzhou and it's fading away in the current generation of children in no small part because of government pressure in schools. It's likely that something similar will happen in Macau and HK.

[https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2136237/why-...](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2136237/why- has-cantonese-fallen-out-favour-guangzhou-youngsters)

</comment></comment><comment><USER17> I wonder if the mainland will ever force either of the 2 ex-colonies to convert into using the "right hand road" orientation? That would be an interesting experiment.

<comment><USER18> As long as they do it incrementally it should be fine. For the first week only transition motorcycles to drive on the other side, then the week after the cars, then a week later transition the trucks and heavy vehicles to the other side...

<comment><USER19> That surely is an optimal way to transition them all to the Other Side, and fast.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER20> Interestingly the plan mandates the use of IPv6 pretty much everywhere, as well as FTTH to all homes in all cities across the PRD. It doesn't give the reason why these specific technologies are mentioned in what's meant to be a strategic plan though.

<comment><USER21> Too bad everyday citizens and businesses can't access the services they want with it, most of the bandwidth will probably be used for surveillance and control.

<comment><USER22> They actually can. IPv6 support was recently enabled by many ISPs, online services and mobile applications.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER23> The headline is a little alarmist. I read the plan and the plan completely acknowledges the one country, two systems principle.

<comment><USER24> Choosing who is allowed to run for government doesn't really acknowledge the two system principle.

</comment></comment><comment><USER25> More in detail:

[http://szdaily.sznews.com/PC/layout/201902/19/node_01.html#c...](http://szdaily.sznews.com/PC/layout/201902/19/node_01.html#content_566524)

[http://szdaily.sznews.com/PC/layout/201902/19/node_03.html#c...](http://szdaily.sznews.com/PC/layout/201902/19/node_03.html#content_566532)

</comment><comment><USER26> I suppose it's just simple math that multiple Bay Areas > Bay Area.

</comment><comment><USER27> Sad date of hk.

</comment><comment><USER28> Non-paywall [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-unveils-plan-tie- hong-1...](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-unveils-plan-tie- hong-131533515.html)

</comment><comment><USER29> Firstly, this plan has been unveiled for a while now. Secondly, this plan is as much hong kong/macau trying to "tie" itself closer to the mainland as vice versa. But bloomberg being bloomberg, we get a dose of stale news mixed with propaganda. Thirdly, rather than hong kong and macau being tied closer to the mainland, it's really the pearl river delta cities just integrating together as you'd normally expect cities in region to do.

Here is a 4 year old video on what the aspirations of the pearl river delta are.

[https://youtu.be/gNE7VPtvfbI?t=1209](https://youtu.be/gNE7VPtvfbI?t=1209)

Another major megalopolis that china is building is centered around beijing.

[https://youtu.be/gNE7VPtvfbI?t=19](https://youtu.be/gNE7VPtvfbI?t=19)

<comment><USER20> The actual document was only released by the PRC State Council in the afternoon of February 18 2019. Granted it's been over 24 hours by now, but it's hardly stale.

</comment></comment><comment><USER30> Rest in peace. Hopefully the Republic of China can manage to resist them.</comment>


Ask HN: Is This Racial Discrimination? - <AUTHOR> So, I had a founder of a newly funded American startup tell me that he thought I was going to be either "Pakistani" or at least "brown" when we were talking on a video call (because of my name). He was (I believe) Indian American. And when I told him that while I am not Pakistani, I am in fact "brown" by some definitions since I am mixed hispanic, black, and white. He seemed dismissive of that.
Anyways, did not get any follow up after that video call.
So, I am wondering if I should report this? Go public with the name of the founder and startup? Contact their investors and let them know?
Discrimination of any kind is disgusting and I was unsure of whether to do anything about it. But, I do not think that discmination should work in any "direction". <comment><USER2> Usually, that would be stereotyping via judging by the name / surname of an individual which is just as bad as any sort of racial prejudice in an interview which I have to be frank, really is despicable and unnecessary in the hiring process.

They don't give a follow up reason or a response because it would be worse on them as it would be proof that they 'actually' rejected you because of these reasons, or just no reason at all. But the response would be there as proof. Thus, the standard no response (Or what I call, Cowards response) is safer for them.

> So, I am wondering if I should report this? Go public with the name of the > founder and startup? Contact their investors and let them know?

I agree with your claim and reporting this, however you need to prove that it happened. The thing is, it would only be better to do that if you have recorded the interview yourself and then you can prove that this happened and attach a name to it. Otherwise, its quite difficult to do this, I'm afraid.

I don't think the investors would care if you brought this to their attention. I am not a lawyer, but if you want to bring this forward speak to a legal professional about this.

<comment><USER3> _I don 't think the investors would care if you brought this to their attention. I am not a lawyer, but if you want to bring this forward speak to a legal professional about this._

Definitely talk to a lawyer. Bad PR is poison to a startup and often just the threat of litigation is enough for them to want to settle (they often have insurance that covers lawsuits like these). I know someone who sued an employer for discrimination for a comment the CEO made about his disability being the reason for not promoting him. Of course this conversation was not recorded so there was no proof (I was a witness to the comment). They decided on binding arbitration, and in the end settled for 6 figures plus a non- disclosure.

Depending on the company, it may be worth it to make this go away than have bad PR like "XYZ Corp interviewers only want Pakastani candidates"</comment></comment>


Roll your own Unix - <AUTHOR> http://www.jamesmolloy.co.uk/tutorial_html/ <comment><USER2> Also see xv6, "a simple Unix-like teaching operating system": <http://pdos.csail.mit.edu/6.828/2011/xv6.html> and its textbook: <http://pdos.csail.mit.edu/6.828/2011/xv6/book-rev6.pdf>

<comment><USER3> Yep, great successor to Lions' Commentary on UNIX 6th Edition.

Another great book in the same style is Notes on the Plan 9 3rd edition Kernel Source, also free: <http://lsub.org/who/nemo/9.pdf>

Plan 9 might be obscure to most HN readers, but fundamentally these books teach concepts, and the code base is much more clear and understandable than mainstream kernels.

<comment><USER4> Holy crackers, that document is one of the most exciting things I've encountered in a long time. I had no idea it existed! I wish it was featured more prominently in the Plan 9 community.

The Plan 9 source is really a work of art. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into this commentary. Thank you so much for sharing!

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER5> This is a quite nice tutorial. There's a quite bit of half-chewed reference material in the osdev wiki. It's quite x86 centric, but that's what makes it especially valuable to me. I already have OS books that I read in Uni courses: <http://wiki.osdev.org/>

Writing your own hobby operating system is a very nice project to learn about your computer's internals and hone your low level programming skills. Here's the start of my hobby OS: <https://github.com/rikusalminen/danjeros>

Also, don't be fooled to thinking that you won't need the skills professionally, because Linux/Windows/*BSD already exists. In fact, at work we have an original in-house small "toy" operating system, but it's not a toy. It's actually used for testing new system on chips when they roll out the factory as well as doing some special purpose tasks on actual devices that are shipped to millions of customers. It's only a few thousand lines of code and looks a lot like one of these schoolbook/hobby operating systems. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you anything more about it.

</comment><comment><USER6> I'm not sure if he updated it on the site linked above (it's not loading for me), but as I remember James was working on a better code base for his tutorials. The theory on this website was good but the code had problems. The updated code was hosted at Google code - <http://code.google.com/p/jamesm- tutorials/source/browse/>

</comment><comment><USER7> Is anybody aware of similar projects that target databases instead of operating systems?

<comment><USER8> The book "Database Systems Implementation" by Hector Garcia Molina is a good start.Building a database system from scratch has one of the most rewarding exercises.

Also check out this stanford course <http://infolab.stanford.edu/~widom/cs346/>

</comment></comment><comment><USER9> Andrew Tanenbaum's _Operating Systems Design and Implementation_ , in which he uses MINIX as the teaching OS, is also good.

</comment><comment><USER10> Server seems severely overloaded -- here's the latest archive.org mirror: [http://web.archive.org/web/20101017092822/http://www.jamesmo...](http://web.archive.org/web/20101017092822/http://www.jamesmolloy.co.uk/tutorial_html/)

</comment><comment><USER11> I'm aware that ARM is not a single, monolithic target like x86. That said, are there any articles that discuss ARM targeted at newbie OS developers?

</comment><comment><USER12> Wow.. that brings back memories of old days, text mode, directly writing into the graphic cards memory... :)

</comment><comment><USER13> An interesting take on Operating System design is the Synthesis Kernel that makes use of techniques like lockless data structures and run-time code synthesis:

<http://valerieaurora.org/synthesis/SynthesisOS/>

</comment><comment><USER14> Note that this tutorial is intended for the x86 architecture and for older versions of Bochs. If you're running an amd64 system or using a recent Bochs, you will need to tweak stuff in the Makefile and in bochsrc.txt.

</comment><comment><USER15> If you go down this path, and I highly recommend every coder gives writing their own OS a go, be sure to bookmark: <http://nondot.org/sabre/os/articles>

</comment><comment><USER16> The only working mirror I could find:

[http://web.archive.org/web/20101019051118/http://www.jamesmo...](http://web.archive.org/web/20101019051118/http://www.jamesmolloy.co.uk/tutorial_html/index.html)</comment>


The computer programming language known as "open source code" - <AUTHOR> http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN3026798220101130

<comment><USER2> I love it when outsiders to a community (like journalists) get things like this wrong, because it makes me rethink my mental categories.

We have absorbed a culturally agreed set of differences between a computer language, a platform, a framework, a library, an OS... and we're comfortable with licencing being coextensive with these units without getting confused, for example.

<comment><USER3> I'm not so sure about the library vs framework agreement. Many packages that would historically be labeled libaries, now call themselves a framework, making it even harder for the real frameworks to stand out among the clutter.

<comment><USER4> Isn't the difference generally that a library is used by client code, whereas client code sits 'inside' (for varying levels of inside) a framework? That's my rule-of-thumb anyway.

<comment><USER5> There's certainly a continuum, almost any decent library can be extended by user code.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER6> This phrase, spoken by someone who doesn't know anything about the subject, contains an unrelated grain of truth.

Today's projects are cobbled together by giants sections of open source code, customized for specific purposes. A project may span languages, and usually includes more than one.

His ignorance made me appreciate the meta-programming language one could call "open source code."

</comment><comment><USER7> To be fair when I talk about, say, legal issues I tend to blurt out dangerous half-truths that I deduct from supposed 'first principles'. On the other hand I would never write an article on the law like this person has done.

</comment><comment><USER8> This makes me wonder whether all the articles out there on other stuff contains errors like this too.

<comment><USER9> They do. If you've ever had anything of yours reported in the press, you will discover that almost all articles are like this one.

<comment><USER10> It doesn't have to be that way

<comment><USER9> Well, I'm sure it doesn't, but it mostly is. Suggestions?

<comment><USER11> ArsTechnica seems to be getting it right, and the other day I heard NPR call up one of their editors as an expert, so the mainstream news is noticing something.

I think the real problem is, most consumers don't know what they're missing.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER12> Many journalist have invented their own language known as "the newspaper" to be sold public streets at low cost, but profitability issues are murky.

</comment><comment><USER13> Why would this guy bother copying stuff off the Goldman servers when it was open source, and presumably freely available?

<comment><USER14> I think that he claimed that the code was open source, but in fact it was proprietary.

<comment><USER15> Reading between the lines, this is my guess as to what's going on:

Goldman Sachs built an internal-use-only tool that relied on some GPL code. Aleynikov is going to claim that this made Goldman Sach's code fall under the GPL, and therefore he has a right to redistribute it.

I hope that's not what's going on, because the pointy-haired ones don't need another reason to be afraid of FOSS.

<comment><USER16> That is not how GPL works. Let's say you have derived work from GPLed source (DW).

if (you publish binary of DW) then {you have to provide sources of DW under GPL}

Simply it does not apply to in-house (non-published) work. You are fine to keep it closed-source.</comment></comment></comment></comment>


Ask HN: I've got a new job but the boss is a bully / abusive - <AUTHOR>

Hi,
I've got a new job as a web developer but the boss is a bully / abusive.
The boss keeps referring to other employees as "black" and makes racist comments towards some of them.
I was listening to music with my headphones and he's like "WHO'S LISTENING TO THAT?" and then asked me to lower the volume because it "distracts" others. Even though the office is loud as they talk and laugh all the time.
It doesn't also help that I'm an immigrant.
He keeps making stupid personal and passive-aggressive comments and just generally belittling team members, it's really annoying and it's starting to get on me.
I've watched him trying to flirt with some female coworkers even, it's disgusting and he's married.
I can't believe this is the second day of work at this company and I'm already feeling like this.
Here's my previous post that is related to the same company, just to provide some context:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9676980
Everyone here just laughs at his "jokes" and follows his orders.
He found I didn't eat today because I didn't had money, and he asked if I wanted a banana, so he said to other coworker "Give one banana to this immigrant".
How do you deal with this bs? <comment><USER2> I was just in this exact same position last year, and unfortunately have had this experience earlier before that as well. First, the situation may stay the same or worsen, but it won't get better, so you should begin looking for a new job. Second, don't talk to HR or make any formal complaints. Talking to HR makes it worst - they are there to keep the company free of trouble and liability, not to make your workplace better. Chances are if you talk to HR, they will tell your boss and everyone will start picking on you even more in an attempt to get you to quit. Talk to a lawyer to determine what type of documentation and evidence you need to take legal action, and get it. In the meantime smile and act like everything is fine at work. The most difficult part of this will be finding a competent lawyer who can help you stick up for your rights. It's a bad situation, but good luck.

<comment><AUTHOR> The problem with looking for new work is that there's not much work related to IT in my area, and I think they know this and therefore abuse us.

Moving to a larger city is more expensive and harder, therefore I'll have to put up with this for a longer time.

Thanks.

</comment></comment><comment><USER3> Engineers and employees in general really need to understand their rights better. I will write up something comprehensive later.

Some bullet points in the main time:

1\. Being a bully and verbally abusive is not illegal.

2\. Racist jokes are not illegal unless they are impacting your work. This is the gray area of the law. Visit your local EEOC office.

Poke around here on your own: [http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/harassment.cfm](http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/harassment.cfm)

3\. Flirting is not harassment.

4\. Working in a shitty environment sucks. Just tough it out till you get a new job.

<comment><AUTHOR> 1\. It doesn't matter if it's illegal or not, nobody should ever have to put up with any of that crap.

2\. Same as with bullying, nobody should ever tolerate this bullshit.

3\. Flirting is harassment if the other party is not interested in flirting. At that point I don't think it's flirting anymore, but harassment.

4\. It does suck indeed, and I'll seek for a new job.

<comment><USER3> No one thinks you should have to put up with any of this crap.

Some people are telling you to seek legal action.

The point I am making is there is a huge gap between what is unacceptable and what is illegal.

<comment><AUTHOR> I see, thanks.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER4> IANAL -- If you talk to a lawyer, which I think you should -- stick to the racism and sexism. Start documenting exact quotes. The lawyer will probably advise you to talk to HR, and their job is a lot easier if you have a journal (date/time/quote and context/list of those present).

Also, I think it's a good idea to not post on HN about this -- if it comes to a lawsuit, you could be asked about it, and nothing you say here or on forums can help you.

Also, stuff like this:

> I was listening to music with my headphones and he's like "WHO'S LISTENING > TO THAT?" and then asked me to lower the volume because it "distracts" > others.

is pretty reasonable -- perhaps not the exact style, but if the office culture is quiet (which it should be for programming) and they can hear music leak from your headphones, it is a distraction.

<comment><AUTHOR> Yes, it's reasonable, but the office is not generally quiet.

They keep talking and laugh all the time.

They just pick on me because I'm an immigrant and a introvert.

</comment></comment><comment><USER5> Call him on his bullshit! Don't be one of the people who lets him skate by because he's the boss. At the end of the day he's just a human being; flaws and all.

If I were you I'd take him out for a beer and tell him everything you wrote here. You'll probably be the first person who was ever honest with him about this.

If he has a modicum of character, he'll respect you for it and honor your concerns. If he doesn't care about the issues you bring up then that's beyond your control. In that case you'll have done what you could and I think you can move on to something else with a clear conscience.

<comment><AUTHOR> I called him out and conforonted him yesterday, I was leaving the office and the conversation was something along the lines of:

Me: "I'm leaving."

Boss: "Okay."

Me: "Can I ask you for a favor?"

Boss: "Yes?"

Me: "Please call me by my name. I do respect the team so I'd like to get the same respect back."

Boss: "Okay, yes"

Me: "Bye"

Boss: "Bye"

I came to the office today and he gave me an apology. He also mentioned that when and if I have a problem again, I can speak my mind to him whenever I want to but in private rather than in front of others.

He also mentioned that he was "joking" and that he doesn't call most people by their name. He also mentioned that we are "different" and I'm not sure what he meant by that, but I don't care.

Anyway, he said he won't disrespect again and we shaked hands and moved on, but it's good that he apologized. I hope the apology was sincere though.

</comment></comment><comment><USER6> This is a technical fix, but then this is a technical forum - try getting big over the ear headphones that really block out what other people are saying. Then you'll be damaging your hearing if they can hear your music.

To fix the underlying problem, you should seek new employment.

<comment><AUTHOR> The headphones are not the problem here, but thanks for pointing out the health issue. I'll try listening to music in a moderate volume.

I'll seek for new employment.

</comment></comment><comment><USER7> Your boss is a fucking douchebag. I wouldn't try to fix the situation, anyone who says "Give one banana to this immigrant" can't be reasoned with. Try to have people to talk to so you dont have to keep it inside of you. People easily acquire psychological health issues when they are in situations like yours.

<comment><AUTHOR> Indeed, and I will talk about this to coworkers that have been nicer with me, those same coworkers have also been mistreated by the boss.

I'll say something about the boss during lunch break and I'll see how they respond, I'm not sure if some of the coworkers will gossip anything I said about the boss to the boss though.

How do you deal with that?

</comment></comment><comment><USER8> There's an Old Work Rule: People don't leave jobs, they leave bosses.

It can be extremely difficult during the interview process to determine the true, unvarnished nature of personalities. Next time, be sure to meet with your potential team members and counterparts. Ask probing questions about the bosses management style and company culture.

So move on; quickly now. Cut your loses today if all possible. Chalk up the experience to nothing ventured, nothing gained.

</comment><comment><USER9> There is no "right" to not being offended.

Capacity/capability is only the first hurdle at a new job. If others aren't also upset, perhaps the problem is you're just not a good fit?

The banana comment makes me think your boss is a bit of an ass, but you must realize not all jokes translate across culture/language. There is so much to delivery of any joke - failed or otherwise. When I read that line, the voice in my head sounded like Jerry Seinfeld. Maybe I've watched too much Seinfeld...maybe he was trying to be funny, but maybe he's just an ass who lacks the emotional intelligence to see he's upsetting the new guy.

Best of luck to you...though it's probably better to make your own luck and keep searching for a new gig.

</comment><comment><USER10> Obviously I think that is unacceptable.

But being realistic if you aren't able to afford to eat, then you need to find another job before you leave this one. So I'd concentrate on that, finding something else. Unfortunately you'll have to put up with this for a little while, so you could start documenting what goes on if you wish to make some legal complaint (although that might be expensive, unless you can find a lawyer who will work on a % of the potential winnings).

Nobody should have to put up with racism and abuse in the workplace, and I have no strategies for dealing with that except to get out ASAP. The only thing I would say is, try and ignore the things he doesn't which don't directly impact you (e.g. flirting with female employees, it really has zero impact on you, your work, or anything).

<comment><AUTHOR> I don't think I'll lawyer up over this, unless something really bad starts to happen.

I know, and I think he was racist with me and others. Even some of the employees were racist towards a coworker. It really is very nasty.

The problem with finding new work is that there aren't many IT jobs over here, so I have to put this for longer until I can actually find a better job.

</comment></comment><comment><USER11> Honestly, if this was me, I would ask your boss to have a 5 minute chat. Go for a coffee or something.

Then just tell him exactly what you've been feeling. Describe things that he has said & how they made you feel.

There is a chance that he has absolutely no idea the effect he is having on you.

<comment><AUTHOR> There's a chance he probably won't care at all, and I'm sure he knows he is being an ass.

As I mentioned, I didn't eat at all yesterday and I asked the boss if I could leave earlier to eat. He said I couldn't and that "our schedule is our schedule" so I had to be there until 6pm.

This is abuse, clear and simple.

<comment><USER11> I definitely don't agree with anything he has said, nor is it acceptable in any form. If he's referring to you openly as an "immigrant" or "monkey", I also doubt that he's the type of person that would dramatically change his behavior after you flag it.

However, I still think that you need to communicate to him that the way he is behaving is deeply unprofessional as a colleague and completely unethical as another human being.

The 6pm issue is a kinda moot & one could ask all kinds of questions such as 'why didn't you eat earlier?' but I honestly think it's irrelevant.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER12> [I am not a lawyer]

Are you in the USA? Consult with a lawyer immediately.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostile_work_environment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostile_work_environment)

<comment><AUTHOR> I'm not in the US.

</comment></comment><comment><USER13> You should start actively looking for another job. If you can't find one, can you try to transfer in another team? What is your personal situation? Can relocate if your area doesn't have jobs?

<comment><AUTHOR> I can't relocate, it's not that simple. I tried to relocate, but companies in other cities just don't want to give me a job, they probably think it's harder to hire me as I have yet to move to the actual city where the job is available.

So they always say "We'll get back to your whenever we make a decision, we still need to interview other candidates." so at the end of the day, they're just wasting my time and my limited resources.

I don't think I can transfer to other teams, as I'm new with this company, but it's already hellish, only after 2 days of being hired. :(

</comment></comment><comment><AUTHOR> Oh, they also mentioned I'm not allowed to eat pork (or derived) in the company because they are Jewish.

I believe this is just one of the first "not allowed" from a long list. Fucking hell.

</comment><comment><USER14> Be positive . . . make the most of it . . . but keep looking for remote rails opportunities . . . polish up your rails skills in the evening and start a side project/rails app to keep your skills sharp/improve them.

At work, stay positive, make the best of it, keep your head down and money coming in until you land a better remote gig.

Good luck sticking in there.

btw I don't think lawyers/HR is a good move unless something really serious happens.

If you need money now, make the best of it and keep looking for a rails gig or other local gig.

Good luck.

<comment><AUTHOR> Thanks.

Rails gigs are good for getting some extra income, but my experience is that they don't last, and there's no way I can live only with remote gigs.

I mean, I've been freelancing for years and living off remote work for 2 years.

But the financial stability with remote work is nowhere as good as when you have a "real job".

What I'm trying to say is that when you are working remotely, you're not really a employee, as the company can and will go away from one day to another, and what options do you have then?

I'm talking about international remote work, now partial remote work with a local company might be another story.

</comment></comment><comment><USER15> Sounds like you need to laugh at his jokes and follow his orders. Ignore anything relating to others, its not your business and not something to stress about. Think about the adage "keep your friends close and your enemies closer". Flatter him, make him feel good about himself, then down the road when you start biting back a bit it will hurt.

<comment><USER16> This is the worst possible advice you could have given.

Attempting to ignore the behaviour is both stressful and damaging.

<comment><USER15> I said he should ignore his boss's interactions with others. Do you really think it is healthy for op to be stressing over the fact his boss flirts and is married? I repeat, he should mind his own business.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER17> One of my coworkers listens to music on headphones all day, so loud I can hear it. It gets old fast. He also frequently smells like marijuana, a very strong smell. It is very annoying, I'm almost ready to walk out over it.

He is the boss' favorite, so I can't do anything.

<comment><USER18> Hello! I might be that guy! YMMV but try mentioning it low-key style to him. They're most likely oblivious to it and chancing their arm / pushing their luck with it. They'll probably be embarrassed more than anything if you bring it up and after a small bit of awkwardness and red cheeks, it might possibly improve a situation like that for you immensely!

<comment><USER17> It's already been discussed, which is why I'm at the "very annoyed" point right now.

<comment><USER18> How very disheartening :(

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER19> Notify HR. If nothing happens, leave. You'll find another job, especially as a developer. No reason to stay at a place where you feel uncomfortable.

I learned this the hard way.

<comment><AUTHOR> HR never does anything. They're there to get the company out of liability as someone else said it here.

This is why I support workers over capitalists.

I'll find another job. I'm very confident with my skills that I won't starve or get out of jobs.

</comment></comment><comment><USER20> I think the best thing you can do is actively look for another job. That will keep you going through the days.

<comment><AUTHOR> I will. Thanks.

</comment></comment><comment><USER21> Here are some very pragmatic advices not based on what it should be (were the world fair and just) but on what is most likely is:

1\. If your music can be heard outside your earphone it must be very loud. For your own auditory health sake turn it down. Even if you are using it to isolate from the office noise, once you lose your hearing you cannot get it back so it is not worth it to sacrifice it for short term gain.

2\. Regarding all the misbehaviour towards your other coworkers, don't interfere. A lot like in domestic abuse cases, sometimes the victims end up taking the aggressor's side and you end up in a situation of both the aggressor and the victims being against you. Just don't.

3\. The kind of abuse you are being subjected is not tolerable and the best way to stop it (as others said) is to quit the job. It is very unlikely that there is a course of action that will result in you keeping your job and your abusive boss getting fired.

4\. People failed to understand the depth of your problem: if you can't afford to eat properly you can't afford to pay for a lawyer and probably you don't have the spare time to find one out that will take your case pro bono or on contingency. If you could, the best course of action would still be to quit.

Now is the part of the advice that will really suck because it assumes a flawed world where doing the right thing don't always pay out and doing the wrong thing isn't always punished.

Being totally honest here: (as per your other post) you took a PHP job not being in touch with the technology for the past 8 years. You took a Windows shop job being a Linux person for the past 15 years. It is very hard to understand how you got the job in the first place given the lack of technological fit and they will probably treat you as a stop gap until they can find someone more qualified.

If your situation is so dire that you were willing to fill the position anyway and if you can't afford to quit a job that in the second day you already found out that is not for you: you will have to muster the strength and carry on.

\- Block out all external stimulus not related to your task at hand

\- Don't talk to your coworkers except for task related subjects.

\- Don't listen to your coworkers conversations.

\- Don't observe your boss comments or behaviour.

\- Don't respond to abusive comments.

\- Hide your feelings as well as you can, fake a convincing laugh and keep at your task.

\- Don't spend a single additional second of your own time the presence of abusive people

\- Do your job as well as is necessary to receive your paycheque and count the days until you can finally quit.

These are not idealist advice, it is very unlikely that you are going change that workplace environment, save your coworkers or win a big lawsuit. But if you can't absolutely quit that job (and, assuming conditions as bad as you describe, I would even if the alternative was hunger and homelessness) pretend, fake and carry on as well as you can in this situation.

And sorry for the long post.

<comment><AUTHOR> Thanks for your advice, but with 15 years of Linux/Unix experience, I think I'm very well qualified for most positions. Thank you.

The points you make and the advice you gave me is excellent though. Thanks.

I just haven't programmed with PHP for a long time, but I know how to get work done regardless of the programming language.

Me using Linux for a very long time doesn't also mean that I can't use Windows. It comes down to having a preference for the environment I'm more used to, and that environment is GNU/Linux for me.

</comment></comment><comment><USER22> Please contact me, email in profile.

<comment><AUTHOR> What for? I'm using an anonymous handle right now, and I'm not sure I'd like to reveal my identity that easily.

</comment></comment><comment><USER23> You cannot deal with it, ever.

Get out.

Quick!

<comment><AUTHOR> It's not that simple when you have bills to pay and there aren't enough jobs in your local area in the first place.</comment></comment>


YC-backed Py is a Duolingo style learn-to-code app - <AUTHOR> https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/14/yc-backed-py-is-a-duolingo-style-learn-to-code-app/ <comment> happy-go-lucky > the Android link in the article is currently wrong. Here's the right one:

[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.py](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.py)</comment>


Should this have become the dominant language at Apple? - <AUTHOR> http://www.opendylan.org/pipermail/gd-hackers/2007-April/005777.html <comment><AUTHOR> I have been following dylan for a while and I really appreciate its aesthetics.

I never really understood why Apple ceased development, other than a baby with the bath water mistake; it seems a far more appopriate and elegant language than objective-c for application development.

I'd appreciate all your comments and I would especially like to know how Paul G feels about Dylan as a blubbified lisp / scheme.

<comment><USER2> They didn't have the courage to make it a real Lisp, but they didn't dumb it down enough to appeal to mainstream programmers, so they ended up producing something that no one really loved, except possibly its parents.

Java is the only case I can think of where a company managed to force its programmers to start using a new language created for them. In 1995 you had to at least make the syntax look like C. That's probably less true now that so many programmers are used to Python and Ruby. But most ordinary programmers would probably still panic at the idea of writing code in s-expressions.</comment></comment>


The Oxford English Dictionary: not just a labour of love, a feat of endurance - <AUTHOR> http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/08/the-oxford-english-dictionary-not-just-a-labour-of-love-a-feat-of-endurance/ <comment><USER2> I just wish we could access the OED (or the Shorter OED) in an open way. The iOS app is apparently terrible. I would gladly pay.

<comment><USER3> You can on Windows, based on the pre-1920 version. There's a download somewhere that has a text index mapped to images of the pages.

Edit: [https://archive.org/details/oed11_201407](https://archive.org/details/oed11_201407)</comment></comment>


Show HN: Give your resume a mind of it's own, a.i. RESUME - <AUTHOR> http://ai-resume.com/?ref=showHN

<comment><USER2> Great job. The UI looks good on my android.

I like the idea of entering data into a single place, and having different visitors see customized resumes.

Some thoughts I had (keep in mind I'm not a UX, entrepreneur, or resume expert):

1\. In the demo on my phone, I like that you can easily navigate between sections with the nav bar. But I think others might not realize it's available. It might be good to have the navigation instead be small tabs on the top. Or tell users how to navigate.

2\. In the skills section, you emphasize the skills relevant to that employer. Would it be easier to separate them into two sections: the skills must relevant to a position, then other skills. The other skills might be initially hidden. I think it helps someone scanning a resume quickly. Overall, I think it's important to minimize the time it takes someone to get the information from the resume. Maybe ask recruiters to give their opinion of the demo. I think a good testimonial from a recruiter might make the website more attractive to potential users.

3\. I'm not sure if I'd pay that much to try it. I understand the problem. If you give a 30 free trial, and they get a job, they won't pay. But maybe it can be free at first. If it works, try to get testimonials to put on the website. I don't mean to be insulting or condescending. And that might not be the correct solution. In just saying I'd like to try it, but don't want to pay that much without seeing testimonials.

Again, I really like the way you're solving the whole resume problem. The trade off between customizing and generalizing. Quality vs quantity. The demo gives you a good idea of how it works, and it looks good on my phone.

Very cool. Thanks for sharing this.

<comment><AUTHOR> Thanks so much for the encouraging words, it's nice to see there are positive people :)

1) Excellent point I can see about making it easier on small screens. 2) Yes I am still trying to see how best to get the skills area to be most impacting. Helping the employer see immediately why the applicant is valuable is the one thing I am trying to solve best so I will keep you in the loop, please feel free to sign up for a free version. 3) The price is something that will be flexible. Ideally I wish I did not have to charge at all so thinking about ways that could happen. I had a good suggestion where after 3 months if you don't get a job you get your money back, so lot's of ideas out there.

Thank you again for your awesome feedback, it was very encouraging and much appreciated.

You have helped make my day better!

\- Titus

</comment></comment><comment> aps-sids I just signed up and felt cheated. It seemed that "59 invites left" was just to fool us and get our email ids.

Why would you ask someone to signup when you don't have anything to show?

<comment><AUTHOR> The sign up is to secure a free version of a.i. RESUME. You will be sent instructions to set it up shortly. I do apologize if you feel cheated I can assure you that you are going to love a.i. RESUME!

</comment></comment><comment><USER3> demo didn't really work.

I than signed up, just got some mailchimp reply and unsubscribed immediately.

edit: demo might have worked but I opened it in a new tab and got confused by the bugging opaque full page overlay and closed that tab again. (and I have not looked at it "184 times now")

<comment><AUTHOR> Hey there! Thanks for the feedback it's very helpful. Sorry for the confusion, I am working to make sure things are as clear as possible. The hits and popup are to demo the smart engagement feature based upon certain actions. In a normal case the popup would only appear after an employer looks at the resume XX times. I will work to make the demo easier to understand and if you are interested I would love for you take a look again after I make the updates. The signup is for a free a.i. RESUME and I use mailchimp to manage those who sign up. Have an excellent day and thanks again! \- Titus

</comment></comment><comment><USER4> Given that your home page has _two_ rather basic typos, I stopped right there.

<comment><AUTHOR> Please feel free to let me know and I can correct it. Thanks for taking a look!

<comment><AUTHOR> I think I found and corrected them. Thanks again!

<comment><USER5> (typo in your HN title as well ... should be "its", not "it's")

<comment><AUTHOR> Thanks so much I will fix it! I really appreciate it!

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER6> Is this a phone app?

<comment><AUTHOR> This app does work on the phone but it is not yet on the Apple App Store or Google App Store.</comment></comment>


DPRK accuses US of orchestrating latest skirmish - <AUTHOR> http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2010-11/28/content_11620048.htm

<comment><AUTHOR> This is generally the feeling I've had since the conflict started. I don't think that the short time between this and the discover of North Korea's new nuclear facility is a coincidence.

An attempt by someone to make North Korea appear irresponsible perhaps?</comment>


Google Deals 'Paying Off Huge'  - <AUTHOR> http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/google-deals-paying-off-huge/?src=twr <comment><USER2> Strange that the "blogspam" NYT link is here and not the original: <http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68K0K020100921></comment>


Path menu in pure CSS3 - <AUTHOR> http://lab.victorcoulon.fr/css/path-menu/ <comment><USER3> Can someone enlighten me as to why "pure CSS" is seen as the pinnacle of web design? It seems that for problems involving a computational element like this, Javascript would be much more concise and readable. Having said that, it is beautifully done.

<comment><USER4> Javascript is turing-complete. That's a /lot/ of power and that means that security-conscious users (especially given the proliferation of more-powerful JS apis allowing the possibility for exploits in file, GPU, etc. access, along with JIT-enabled exploits as opposed to the old simple interpreting) will have it turned off whenever possible.

Using CSS for non-turing-complete interactions which are limited in their computational ability to a simple automaton means that CSS can be trusted much more than JS, and that there are stricter guarantees on performance. It's also semantically cleaner when used for things like visual effects on windows, because even if CSS doesn't load, the markup representing the menu will be intact. JS systems have the ability to load markup asynchronously or generate it from other data in the page and destroy all notion of graceful degradation.

<comment><USER5> It has nothing to do with turing completeness.

More complexity leading to bigger surface area for potential attacks, yes. GPU and file access, yes. But nothing to do with turing completeness.

Here's a non turing complete language I wouldn't like to be able to run in a web context. It has a single command: rm {path}

On the other hand a turing complete language that has no access to any IO, DOM manipulation etc. I would be perfectly happy to let run.

It isn't the power that comes from turing completeness that makes javascript a potential security vulnerability, it's the interactions it can have outside of computation.

<comment><USER6> Its imperative nature (mutation, side effects) and potential non-termination makes it unattractive as a catch-all hypertext document language.

By using the language of Least Power (firstname.lastname@example.com) that still accomplishes your task, you achieve a more concise and more analyzable document.

I wouldn't call that "nothing to do with TC".

<comment><USER5> Its imperative nature is unrelated to TC.

Non TC languages can be sufficiently complex as to make analysis difficult.

I don't see any of the risks of js as linked to TC in any meaningful way beyond a very hand-wavey "TC tends to lead to complexness".

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER7> I hacked on the core animation of the Path menu for a few minutes last week (it's pretty rough) using a combination of CSS and JS that is a bit leaner and more flexible.

<http://jsfiddle.net/necolas/RGYUg/>

The benefit of using JS to calculate the positioning (especially in an environment where JS will always be enabled) is that you can have the menu items correctly positioned irrespective of the number of items.

Edit: This is also an interesting approach: <http://beaucollins.github.com/radial-menu/>

<comment><USER8> I like how beau's version collapses the nav buttons when you scroll up or down the page on my iPad. I haven't taken a look to see if it was intentional or a bug; but it's neat nontheless, if a user decided to scroll, I think that the nav should collapse out of the way.

Can anyone comment on how the iOS path app behaves when you scroll?

<comment><USER9> Touching anywhere other than an icon when the menu is open (including swiping to scroll) causes the menu to close.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER10> Would work in Firefox too with if the author had bothered to add the -moz- animation rules.

<comment><USER11> Well the code is on github - fork it and update it!

<comment><USER12> I don't understand the "you aren't allowed to comment if you haven't submitted code" sentiment.

<comment><USER13> Don't take it wrong. It probably just means that the author was nice enough to make it and give it for free and if you have a problem, try to fix it instead of acting like an entitled asshole and demanding X feature or bug fix for code you didn't contribute to and are using for free.

There are a ton of people who like to bitch at open source developers about not including or fixing something and for projects like this tht isn't cool. This is just a guy showing off some cool thing he did. If you want to use it, have at it! Make it better? Contribute! Have a complaint? Go fuck yourself.

It's not meant for people who have constructive criticism or are just discussing the merits of the code or technique like us.

<comment><USER12> _There are a ton of people who like to bitch at open source developers about not including or fixing something and for projects like this tht isn't cool._

Yeah, this is an excellent way to deflect criticism from open source projects. I've seen it frequently stop what could be a useful discussion in its tracks.

(And this isn't a comment to you specifically, but that sentiment combined with closed-source-software-as-unethical turns my stomach.)

<comment><USER13> Yeah, you're right. But I think we can agree that it makes sense for this project, right? This isn't something like Firefox where they actively try to get you to use the software and one day turn around and say "don't complain because it's free". Instead this is an obviously one-off effort and the open sourcing was just to share it with us fine folks so we know it can be done and maybe add a few tools to our boxes. I certainly wouldn't expect any maintenance on this project.

Again, I know what you mean, I've seen it, and it's lame but I see this as an exception where it makes sense.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER14> Obviously Path has done something great in terms of coming up with a beautiful, innovative menu design.

Do people here think that Path should have been granted some type of protection so that others couldn't copy its look and feel so quickly, or it is okay that competitors have come out almost immediately?

I am just asking the question, I'm not sure how I feel about the issue. I'm against software patents, but I could certainly understand if Path's GUI designers are pissed that people are copying them so quickly, and making them lose their advantage.

<comment><USER15> I saw a very similar idea a while back here, and bookmarked it.

<http://playground.mobily.pl/jquery/mobily-blocks/demo.html>

It's a short breath away from what Path have done.

I love the aesthetics of both, I have to say. Great work.

<comment><USER16> The concept itself isn't very far removed from pie menus[1]; which have been around for quite some time. They're much more common in console games these days (the layout maps very well to an analog stick or face buttons); SketchBook (on both the desktop and phones/tablets) is another recent example that comes to mind.

[1] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pie_menu>

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER17> Nice!

What the the licensing implications of using this code & interaction model?

Luckily Path don't seem to have a patent on this, otherwise you'd have to change the circles to squares...

</comment><comment><USER18> saw this one earlier in dribbble, <http://dribbble.com/shots/340844> <http://sparanoid.com/lab/path-menu/>

</comment><comment><USER19> Would it work on firefox if you just remove "webkit-" from the code?

<comment><USER20> s/webkit/moz/

<comment><USER13> I hope this isn't dumb but what does "s/Webkit/moz" mean? To answer the poster above you, it would work by _adding_ "-moz-propertyname" not _removing_ the "-webkit" stuff. Each browser will ignore the proprietary prefix that doesn't apply to them and then apply the CSS to any style that is prefixed for them or the official implementation. So you can put prefixes for all vendors in your rules and the browser will choose the one that applies while safely ignoring the rest. Just make sure to add the "official" non-prefixed version last so that future browsers or those who implement the spec completely today can render the final version of their implementation of the specific CSS style instead of the half baked proprietary one.

I'd add that vendor prefixes are one of the best reasons to use LESS (or SASS or SCSS, I just prefer LESS). Write one mixin (6 lines of code if you line break between each property) and you've just saved yourself countless keystrokes.

<comment><USER20> Not dumb at all! It's a common shorthand around here because in vim (and presumably other text editors) that is the syntax for replacing strings - <USER2> this case, replace "webkit" with "moz". It was a useless comment on my part. What I meant (and should have said) is that merely removing the vendor prefix "webkit" wouldn't make it work with Mozilla, but replacing it with "moz" probably would. (I'm not certain about the details of Mozilla's feature parity with Webkit when it comes to CSS animations but I suspect they are almost equal.)

<comment><USER21> might be easier to remember for non-vi users when you use the term [s]ubstitute instead of replace, makes more sense ... :D

(another uselss comment tho)

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER22> If it does not degrade gracefully, throw it out, the internet is meant to be useful, it's not a playground. (BTW, no disrespect to the author, when it work's it's mighty neat!)

</comment><comment><USER13> This is why I love working on the web! People constantly experimenting and trying to find new/better/alternative ways to do things then others run off and apply them in wonderful new ways but only after the creator gives it out freely. Thank you for this! It's so cool! I don't have a use for it but I certainly appreciate it anyway and I'm sure I can find a legit use.

</comment><comment><USER23> This is actually pretty awesome!</comment>


Most Americans Don't Know Bitcoin While Some Guess Xbox - T-A http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-12/most-americans-don-t-know-bitcoin-while-some-guess-xbox.html

<comment><AUTHOR> Alternately, 42% of Americans have heard of Bitcoin and know it is a virtual currency.</comment>


Scientists predict academic achievement from DNA alone - <AUTHOR> https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160719091622.htm <comment><USER2> tl;dr : a test on 20 000 genes explain 10% of the difference.</comment>


Review: Google Nexus 4 Android Smartphone by LG - <AUTHOR> http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/11/google-nexus-4 <comment><USER2> What a poor review, I personally dont get the hype surrounding LTE (sure it's a great protocol but hardly widely adopted), or understand the need to spend the 1st 2 paragraphs bleeting on about it. HSPA+ does everything I need (and probably more).

This and the accompanying video are a much more informative and entertaining read. [http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3570034/inside-android- bu...](http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3570034/inside-android-building-the- nexus-4-nexus-10-android-4-2)

Regardless I will be picking one up! Cracked my Galaxy Nexus's screen this morning.

(NB: In New Zealand things might be different elsewhere).

<comment><USER3> I'm in the US and I share your thoughts. Having seen LTE (on an AT&T phone), it's quite nice, but not noticeably faster than HSPA+ (T-Mo US) for general usage. I have no issue waiting until the various LTE networks are more fleshed out and the LTE chips are a bit better battery-wise.

<comment><USER4> I was perfectly happy with the 3G service on my iPhone 4, and the HSPA+ service on family members' 4Ses was nice, but I didn't expect to care much about the LTE service on my iPhone 5.

I've gotta tell you, it's _very_ nice, and pulling up pages feels like you're on WiFi. But the first time I really noticed it was when I was sitting in a parking lot and asked my phone to pull down a 1/2 hour podcast. I pressed the little download button and watched in amazement as it downloaded in a couple of seconds. I pulled down the Speedtest.net app (also quick) and was stunned to see that I was getting 20 Mb/s down, nearly double the speed of my home connection.

It's a bit like the retina display. No one actually needs one, but it's just so much nicer than what you had before that you can't help but love it. Given that the power draw on the newer chipsets means battery life isn't gone, it's turned out to be a surprise great feature.

<comment><USER3> The thing is, I get about that speed on T-Mo's HSPA+. Sitting in my apartment, also running the Speedtest.net app, I'm getting 16 Mb/s down. The tiny extra oomph isn't worth worrying about for me.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER5> These specs seem almost unbelievable for the price but there is one glaring draw back for me which is the lack of removable storage. I understand the inherent risks of storing anything you want to remain private on a smart phone but without a microSD card, it feels like the when I inevitably brick my phone somehow, there's no easy way to get the files I want to keep private off the phone. What would be the options to ensure that either 1) the shop/company that does a warranty repair doesn't just data mine the phone once they fix it or 2) that the memory is properly destroyed if the phone cannot be fixed? It also feels like if there was an issue, like an update of Android going awry somehow, that you would lose all your data if you just needed to do a factory reset. I understand that it's all about the cloud now but even then it seems like there would be some corner cases where it would be invaluable to have a removable piece of storage in there even without considering privacy an issue.

<comment><USER4> Is there a common way of keeping a backup of Android phones?

I've been an iPhone user since the 3G came out. I don't really worry about this kind of thing because I know that iTunes makes backups when I sync. Now that iCloud is integrated, it's supposed to keep backups too (although I don't trust it as much as iTunes). Those backups have meant that upgrading to a newer model has been basically seamless.

I know that Android doesn't have a centralized piece of software like iTunes (which is arguably a good thing), but how are backups handled? Are they left to the end user, or is the fact that your account is syncing with Google supposed to take care of your important data (Gmail, Google Calendar, etc)?

<comment><USER6> For the most things that commonly matter - it is automatic. Your GMail, Google Music (or Amazon for that matter), Photos (If you have G+ app installed), Contacts, App list, wallpaper, WiFi and other settings are all automatically backed up to the cloud and restored when you factory reset or get a new phone and sign in to your Google account.

For things such as SMS and full system backup - you have to take things in your own hand. SMS is easy with a 3rd party app, full system backup can be done using Titanium if your phone is rooted or by using command line scripts using adb. (adb supports encrypted backup to the desktop.) Also various OEMs provide their own Desktop sync program - like Samsung Kies - that make it easy to backup/restore using a PC. But it is fairly unnecessary to go to that length - default backup + SMS backup app works quite well for most.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER7> The article suggests because Nexus 4 doesn't have LTE, it costs so little. Is that true? Why does the unlocked Samsung SIII run $800?

<comment><USER8> I thought the suggestion was more that by producing just one variant for all markets/regions/carriers, Google/LG can leverage economies of scale to bring the overall price down.

I haven't looked at the S3, but past Samsung models have had a bunch of variants marketed under the one model name.

(How much this really factors into the pricing, I doubt if we or Wired can really know.)

<comment><USER9> In addition, no LTE allows them to run a smaller battery, which also holds costs down.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER10> After being on a $75/month Sprint plan that delivers overwhelmingly mediocre service, this is the device that will get me to jump from contract to prepaid devices.

<comment><USER11> I am also thinking about going over to Prepaid T Mobile Monthly4G plan which costs $50 bucks. I am not just sure what's the catch.

<comment><USER12> I've heard it repeated that the Nexus 4 can be used with T-Mobile prepaid, but can it be used with Virgin Mobile USA? VM looks to be $35/month rather than the $50/month that T-Mobile costs.

<comment><USER13> Virgin Mobile's rates are attractive, but unfortunately they're a Sprint subsidiary, and as such use CDMA. Nexus 4 is GSM, so your best bet is StraightTalk, T-Mobile, or other inexpensive prepaid GSM carriers. As others have said, check out T-Mobile's web-only $30/month option. It's about as close as you can get to what we've all been wanting: a data-only plan.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER14> I think this device is solid.

I'll probably end up waiting until some consumer reviews are out, but I can't see why this isn't a perfect albeit perhaps niche device for me.

I don't want a contract phone, I could care less about LTE and pure Android seems like a solid OS. I'll probably give this guy a go on either Straight Talk or Solavei. Worst case scenario is that I end up not liking it and using an upgrade on an iPhone.

</comment><comment><USER15> Only thing which holds me back from grabbing one of these is the 4.7" screen. It strikes me that it would be a sacrifice of comfort for screen real estate (and space for high-end components). That said, I've never held one for more than a minute.

Anyone have a 4.7"+ (S3, One X, Optimus G, etc) who can share their assessment of Size vs Usability?

<comment><USER16> I had the 4.65" Galaxy Nexus; it was still usable but just barely. I'd have a hard time being convinced to go any bigger (I'm now on a 4.3" Razr M; no fault of the SGN, I switched networks and can't stand TouchWiz)

<comment><USER2> Totally, I went from the Droid OG to the Galaxy Nexus and swore I would never go any larger, although it feel's kind of small now after using a Galaxy Note on and off!

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER17> Wasn't this on here a couple days ago?

<comment><USER18> Yep. URL differs by the ending /

<http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4733264>

</comment></comment><comment><USER19> What is the point of adding gadget reviews to HN? Anyone interested can find them easily.

<comment><USER20> I like to find gadget reviews on HN. I think only the really outstanding ones reach and stay on the front page. And that is a good thing for someone like me that loves gadgets but don't visit gadget review sites anymore.

Check this out about background noise: <http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4737550>

HN's front page is like a curated page of interesting stuff about anything. The important word here is _curated_.

</comment></comment><comment><USER21> Paragraph #3: major omission: It's not compatible with any LTE networks

Paragraph #4(paraphrased): Nobody outside the USA has plans to roll out LTE any time soon and even in the USA there's very limited coverage by only two carriers.

And that's where I stopped reading. I give this article 1½/10, it's the best I can do.

</comment><comment><USER22> 9/10 really? Is this phone really better than GS III or Nokia 920? Doesn't look like.

<comment><USER23> At half the price?

<comment><USER22> Who cares? With most of the phones being sold with contract, this is just a gimmick. What does it have going for it other than a cheap price anyways? Poor camera? no expandable memory? No LTE? Poor speakers? Manufacturer with questionable quality record?

<comment><USER24> Urm, pretty much all of the rest of the world. The contract system is big only in the US and EU, and it is a somewhat broken system.

It doesn't have a poor camera, it has a very good camera, only not as good as the GS3 or iphone

The GS3 is the only other high end smartphone that has expandable memory, and you don't see that selling at $350.

LTE - well i'm not even going to go into this one</comment></comment></comment></comment>


When Adversarial Interoperability Burrowed Under the Gatekeepers' Fortresses - <AUTHOR> https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/02/gopher-when-adversarial-interoperability-burrowed-under-gatekeepers-fortresses <comment><USER2> > _Terminal automation allowed the Gopher team to rip the doors off of every > information silo on campus and beyond._

I had never before grasped this part of Gopher's ascension story.

> _Some FTP servers were so overwhelmed by inbound connections from FTP-Gopher > gateways that they scrapped their FTP servers and installed Gopher servers > instead!_

and

> _Rather than pursuing an argument with these self-appointed Lords of > Computing, the Gopher team simply went around them, interconnecting to their > services without asking for permission._

Is there any _legal_ mechanism with which the walled gardens of today could be burrowed under by rodents? Or do we just have to hope that someday people will tire of the gardens and come out (bringing their content with them) on their own?</comment>


Ask HN: What bank are you using if you are running a small SAAS startup? - <AUTHOR> We are getting incurred ridiculous wire and account analysis fees from Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). <comment><USER2> Chase. SVB doesn't want startups anymore since they jacked up the rates and removed the startup plans.

<comment><AUTHOR> Thank you. Chase does have good options.

</comment></comment><comment><USER3> Chase</comment>


Take that Harvard! Stanford drops tuition for students. - <AUTHOR> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/20/MNABV5LHM.DTL&tsp=1 <comment><USER2> "In the future, Harvard will cost $1 billion a year, and only Bill Gates's children will pay full price. When anyone else walks through the door, the message will be 'Special price, just for you.' " \--Greg Mankiw

<comment><USER3> I thought this was always the case?

</comment></comment><comment><USER4> Well, crap. The only reason I didn't apply to Stanford was because my family wouldn't be able to afford it.

..but Berkeley's EECS a wonderful alternative, so it's all good, I guess. =)

<comment><USER5> just make sure you don't spend _all_ your time studying in Soda...

<comment><USER4> Indeed. Do I know you? I hang out in the CSUA sometimes.

<comment><USER5> I just graduated in December, don't know, maybe we've met. Shoot me an email at keshavs at berkeley dot edu if you want to chat!

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER6> 1\. If your parents make 100k+ but don't want to spend it on your education, you're screwed.

2\. If you're not a spoiled only child and your parents have to divide that money up then you're screwed.

#1 angers me especially. Parents I know don't do that anymore, especially when colleges rape us with such obscene tuitions while doing relatively little to improve the education.

<comment><USER7> "1. If your parents make 100k+ but don't want to spend it on your education, you're screwed."

With tuition and expenses running 40k+ a year, I think that could put a crimp in the budget of a family making a little more than 100k+.

<comment><USER8> Assuming you'd be expected to pay full tuition and board, which you surely would not.

<comment><USER6> I did after the first two years.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER9> See also <http://philip.greenspun.com/school/tuition-free-mit.html>

</comment><comment><USER10> Damnit...so went to the wrong school...

Funny how if I went to Stanford it would be profitable for my mom to quit her job.

<comment><AUTHOR> the rich feed the rich!

</comment></comment><comment><USER11> One might or might not be impressed - depending upon the number of students this is likely to affect. I am sure that Stanford has done it's sums and taken into account the net impact of attracting applications from bright students coming from less well of homes.

<comment><USER7> "I am sure that Stanford has done it's sums and taken into account the net impact of attracting applications from bright students coming from less well of homes."

If you read the article, I think it's clear that Stanford has taken into account U.S. Senators questioning it's tax exempt status when it has a ballooning endowment along with big tuition increases.

<comment><USER12> I forgot where (Greenspun, I think) but the gist was that non-profits must disburse 5% of their endowment each year but these mega$$$ universities were doing more like 3.5%-5%. It's worth giving away free tuition to some middle class kids to maintain that status. Some of the endowments (Yale, Harvard, Standford, etc) are so big that they're basically investment funds that run universities in order to avoid paying taxes.

<comment><USER13> >Some of the endowments (Yale, Harvard, Standford, etc) are so big that they're basically investment funds that run universities in order to avoid paying taxes.

If that is what they are, then what is the exit strategy?

<comment><USER12> To rule the world?

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER14> The University of Pennsylvania also has a similar policy. <http://www.admissionsug.upenn.edu/paying/>

<comment><USER15> Those must be Business students in that picture. No liberal arts or engineering majors I know (myself included) look that... clean and alert.

</comment></comment><comment><USER16> Amherst has done this for a while, but with a much lower cutoff (I think it was about $40K). They also just eliminated loans for all students last year, which I think will raise the no-tuition cutoff significantly. I heard several other Ivies and top liberal-arts colleges were thinking of following suit.

Olin College was also founded on this premise, but they started charging tuition again when the dot-com bubble burst and most of their endowment vanished.

</comment><comment><USER17> Does it bother anyone else that the sample scenarios mention home equity as a factor? Maybe college tuition has risen partly for the same reasons as other items during the last few years: because it can. Cheap credit makes for high prices. It's a good move by Stanford to pull back now before the home equity ATM is completely burnt out.

</comment><comment><USER15> I like this policy because I imagine it turns the admissions trend away from "Rich Kids" and back to "Smart Kids" ... which is what these Universities want to maintain their cred.

</comment><comment><USER18> So now most of the costs of getting into Stanford are simply before you get into Stanford (private school, studying, night school, extra-curriculars)

</comment><comment><USER19> What about grad students?

</comment><comment><USER20> are they getting money from elsewhere, or are they just taking fewer students from those income brackets?

<comment><USER21> Their admissions are need-blind, so they can't "just take fewer students" from a given income bracket.

<comment><USER20> I mean it somewhat facetiously. I went to Cornell, and judging by the prices for books, food (the items that are really marked up), margins are important to them. Then again, they have less money than Stanford.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER22> Bad beat if your parents make exactly $100,001.</comment>


Climate change: How to build a circular economy that recycles carbon - <AUTHOR> https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2020/1/8/20841897/climate-change-carbon-capture-circular-economy-recycle <comment><USER2> I don't think this is necessary. Nature already does that with ocean algae</comment>


Ridiculous GE video showing 14 steps to reset a GE smart lightbulb - <AUTHOR> https://finance.yahoo.com/m/f12d325f-0483-32b4-a5bc-af676a4ce4d3/this-ridiculous-ge-video.html <comment><USER2> I miss dedicated buttons and switches.</comment>


Pandora is proud of paying musicians? - <AUTHOR> http://musictechpolicy.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/a-good-deal-to-do-pandora-doubles-down-against-creators-now-strikes-at-songwriters/ I recall quite recently the press release where Pandora talked about creating a musician middle class. For the first time in history. So, the first step to creating this middle class is to sue them? <comment><USER2> It is worth remembering that Pandora payed _all of the money it made_ plus $20mm in investor dollars beyond that for royalties last year. Pandora has never been profitable.

</comment><comment><USER3> That's a funny defense of ASCAP. Keep in mind that ASCAP is a middle man that Pandora is replacing.

</comment><comment><USER4> Codhisattva, what you state is false. ASCAP is the appointed agent of songwriters for blanket licensing purposes and operates under a consent decree.</comment>


When did Americans lose their British accents? - <AUTHOR> https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/29761/when-did-americans-lose-their-british-accents <comment><USER2> I read somewhere that the American accent is closer to what British was like in the 1700-1800s. Later the Queen's family, which came from a corner of England, established its accent as the norm. So the American pronounciation is original, and the British one changed in the meantime. Not sure if this is true.

<comment><USER3> _> the Queen's family, which came from a corner of England_

First time I see Germany classified as "a corner of England", lol.

(To be fair, before the current crop, the English aristocracy spoke mainly French, and I guess France could be classed as "a corner of England" by people still a bit hung-up on the loss of Brittany...)

RP English is heavily influenced by French and Germanic tones. Local dialects are very different. I still find it hard to compare British languages with what developed in North America, where the influence of non-English-speakers was clearly massive. Isn't it more interesting to look at Australia and South Africa, where direct links with English natives are way more recent, and still the language departed markedly...?

<comment><USER4> The South African accent has a much stronger Dutch influence (from Afrikaans), despite the language being English.

<comment><USER5> Not quite that simple. Yes, SA English follows after certain features of Afrikaans, but some of those Afrikaans features were local innovations, not brought from the Netherlands (centralization of /i/ is one example).

<comment><USER4> Hence "influence".

<comment><USER5> My point is that that influence is not necessarily Dutch if the features in question happened in Afrikaans only after its arrival on the Cape.

</comment></comment></comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER6> This is an interesting read but the article cites no sources for its claims. Even the claims that refer to linguistics debunking other theories have no citation.

It also makes some suspect statements. I live in New England and saying that it is hard to find someone who does not have an accent that links them to some New England locale is just silly. Then there is the claim that the "general American" accent heard on TV and radio is confined to a small region in the Midwest. That just sounds weird on its face. I imagine NPR must recruit reporters exclusively from this region because it would be difficult to find the accent anywhere else, according to the article. Having lived in the Deep South, far West, rural Midwest and urban East coast I have found that regional accents are largely overblown by articles like this.

<comment><USER7> > I imagine NPR must recruit reporters exclusively from this region because it > would be difficult to find the accent anywhere else

People can learn other accents. In the UK, there is (was?) a "BBC accent" which presumably didn't imply that every BBC personality was hired from a particular region.

<comment><USER8> I think it's been a very long time since there was a "BBC accent" \- I'm in my 50s and I can remember presenters from my youth (e.g. John Noakes) with very distinct regional accents.

Not to mention the idea of BBC Scotland all talking in RP is quite amusing...

<comment><USER9> John Noakes would never have been asked to read the news.

</comment></comment></comment></comment><comment><USER10> Original pronunciation Shakespeare is a good example of this. It's performed with the sorts of accents people had in 16th/17th century England.

To my ear as an English person, it sounds like a Westcountry accent, an example of an English accent which is still rhotic today. But other people might perceive it as being slightly American or Irish sounding.

<comment><USER11> When I first learned about these OP (Original Pronunciation) productions of Shakespeare, from a BBC news article on-line, they commented that it sounded like the English of North Carolina! If you are interested in this, I recommend "Pronouncing Shakespeare" by David Crystal. It documents how he worked with the Globe company on an OP performance of "Romeo and Juliet".

<comment><USER12> Nice short video featuring the Crystals, the Globe and Shakespeare's OP: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiblRSqhL04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiblRSqhL04) .

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER13> > GenAm now considered generally confined to a small section of the Midwest

The GenAm is way more prevalent than just a small section of the Midwest. It's all over the West coast and generally every large metro area regardless of region. Even in regions of heavily divergent accents, like New England or the Southeast the GenAm is quite prevalent in the cities. Atlanta for instance isn't made up of people who all sound like Scarlett O'Hara and Houston isn't made up of people who all sound like Boomhauer from King of the Hill.

<comment><USER14> I think they confused origin with practice.

GenAm is the most common accent (probably 50-65% of speakers), and was originally (1900-1930s) associated with the migration path through Pennsylvania/Western Mass/Upstate NY as far west as the Upper Midwest.

That pattern has changed though, and there are some shifts in these regions.

</comment></comment><comment><USER15> No mention of the role of Noah Webster [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah_Webster#Blue- backed_spell...](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah_Webster#Blue- backed_speller) in standardizing American grammar and spelling, and probably trickling down to bringing pronunciations closer together across the states and regions. Sure spelling is after the pronunciation fact, but his work must have had an influence on standardizing pronunciation.

</comment><comment><USER16> A disproportionate number of immigrants to North America from the British Isles came from Scotland and Ireland. You can still hear that mild Canadian/Scottish/US/Irish accents can under some circumstances be really close.

</comment><comment><USER9> For folks who are genuinely interested in the relationship between British and American English, it's worth checking out

[https://theprodigaltongue.com/](https://theprodigaltongue.com/)

The author has a blog that is no longer as active as it once was:

[https://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/](https://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/)

</comment><comment><USER17> I highly recommend the History of English Podcast for anyone interested in this topic:

[https://historyofenglishpodcast.com/](https://historyofenglishpodcast.com/)

<comment><USER18> That is a delightful and informative podcast that gives historical trends and context to the exploration of the language.

</comment></comment><comment><USER19> While there were obviously many colonials who were English speaking and thus had an accent to lose, this article like many about that time and place in history fails to observe that English was by no means the only language in use and the reason we do not have an official language in this country today. My German-speaking family arrived on this continent before the revolution and only switched to English around 1898, as near as we can tell.

</comment><comment><USER20> Technically, there is no "British accent". There are many accents. Even people who grew up in different parts of London have different accents.

<comment><USER21> The article opens by stating that since it is 'not a book' it is addressing only RP vs. 'General American'/'GenAm' (new to me). So that there is a wealth of non-RP British accents - and indeed non-GenAm American - is irrelevant to a discussion that began by setting those aside.

</comment></comment><comment><USER22> If you want to know a whole lot more about this, I highly recommend the book "Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America." It's a deep and long book, but super enjoyable and easy to read. It explains in much more nuance, the origins of various American accents and their roots in different historical British cultures.

</comment><comment><USER23> American newscasters and classic film stars sported an accent half in between the U.S.- UK accents, also called as Transatlantic accent.

Look back at old films even as late the end of 60s and you wil hear it.

</comment><comment><USER24> Erm. OK, but there is at least one Irish accent which is obviously similar to "generic American", but of all the UK accents _none_ persist in the US, nor vice-versa.

</comment><comment><USER25> I guess I don't find it terribly surprising given that a majority of immigrants to America didn't speak English and picked it up (sometimes several generations) later.

</comment><comment><USER26> Still alive in NC: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7MvtQp2-UA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7MvtQp2-UA)

</comment><comment><USER27> Class must have been important, considering that many early colonists in the mid-Atlantic and southern colonies were shipments of prisoners and indentured servants.

After the War of Independence, a large number of other Europeans left traces of their languages in the regional American accents. English are not the largest ethnic group.

</comment><comment><USER28> Most likely both accents evolved independently from a common one. It makes no sense that evolution happened only on one side.

</comment><comment><USER29> (2012)

<comment><USER30> agreed. This is not news or even recent. Stop posting stuff like this

</comment></comment><comment><USER31> Tldr: rhoticity was the norm, but the prestige dialect became non-rhotic at a certain point.

</comment><comment><USER32> TL;DR: we didn't, they did.

</comment><comment><USER33> Why would you assume that American accent(s) changed, but not British ones? Maybe it's the British accent that changed since then, not the American one, so it's not that Americans lost their British accents, but that British accents changed and American ones stayed behind.

Or of course, both probably have changed.

After reading the article -- yup, in that vein.

But I think this is an important conceptual shift for us in even what questions we ask. We are inclined to think things are much more stable than they are, especially within geographic bounds. We assume British accents must be more stable in the British geography, and it must be American accents that changed. When in fact there's no reason to have this assumption, because that's not how things work, the right question in the first place, even before you know anything, is "Why have American and British accents diverged", without assuming one was stable but not the other.

Now, the trick is realizing this applies to culture in general, not just accents or even languages. Consider how this applies to those genetic tests telling people they "are" 35% German or something and what people think this means about the stability of the category of "German" over generations...

<comment><USER34> The first sentence of the article addresses that.

</comment></comment><comment><USER35> Anyone else cringe at the choice of words in the title? If you migrate and your pronunciation gradually mutates away from what you had originally, and if you then say that you lost what you had, you're invalidating the evolution you've gone through. Or, if the "americans lose their british accents" implies that [english accent = american accent + something you can lose], it's an American-centricity that treats the English accent as if it were something you put on to be a more convicing villain on TV.

<comment><USER34> No, the title asks a popular question and, like, the first sentence of the article directly addresses why the popular question isn't actually the right question to ask.

<comment><USER35> That very well may be true, but whether or not the article acknowledges that this isn't the right question is independent of whether or not this specific wrong question makes you cringe.

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER36> A good, enjoyable read. It's informative while remaining concise, a quality mainstream media articles sorely lack - if this had been a newspaper article, it would've been nearly twice as long, with unnecessary quotes from people with long titles (which are watered down enough to be basically content-free), and still managed to be somewhat less informative than this one is. Reminds me of old (and possibly current) "How Stuff Works" articles.</comment>


Ruby vs Elixir – Panel discussion at Wroc_love.rb [video] - <AUTHOR> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5dzsG5grK4 <comment><USER2> I think it comes down to this: with Elixir, you gain a _lot_ over Ruby and lose very little. Any Elixir app will be significantly more performant and reliable than its Ruby counterpart. This is due to several reasons:

\- Elixir runs on a battle-tested virtual machine, and stuff like supervisor behavior (e.g. auto-restart of crashing processes) is built right in

\- Elixir is a functional language, which makes the code you write more testable

\- State in Elixir is immutable, which greatly reduces the side effects of running code

I used to develop in Ruby circa 2014-2015. It will always have a special place in my heart, but to be frank, I don't really miss it. Elixir, as a language, is better in almost every way. And once the ecosystem becomes a bit more mature, it will be unstoppable (OK maybe not really, but it's definitely here to stay).

<comment><USER3> Former Ruby, now Elixir, developer here and I agree.

The one use case where Ruby still wins for me, though, is a little one-off script. Last time I had occasion to do that, I found you couldn't use any Elixir hex packages without generating a whole mix application. In ruby you could just globally install the gem and require it right into your script.

I forget why this came up, but I think it was something like just wanting to download a web page and parse out a certain bit of it into a CSV file or something like that. Pretty trivial in Elixir with HTTPoison and Floki, but no real way to use those in a one-off .exs file (I don't think?). Whereas in ruby, I've already got HTTParty and Nokogiri in there somewhere, and you can toss it together in a minute.

<comment><USER4> >In ruby you could just globally install the gem and require it right into your script.

I've been using Elixir for one-off scripts lately and this is something I miss. In my book, it is a clear advantage that Ruby and other scripting languages have over Elixir. In the case of HTTP(S) my solution has been

      {data, 0} = System.cmd("curl", ["-sf", url])

but as soon as you need a JSON library it is time to create a project. (The "-f" flag ensures you get a non-zero exit status from cURL if the HTTP status code isn't 2XX.)

I do not particularly like the usual global package installation model, though, because it means that you can only have a single version of a package available for your scripts to require. The best package management model for standalone scripts that I have seen is Groovy's [1]: a script can include a special directive that downloads a specific version of a package just for that script. Any versions can be stored in the global (per-user) package cache so that you don't have to redownload them every time a script runs, but your import statements always give you strictly the version you asked for. This is the model I'd adopt for Elixir.

[1] [http://docs.groovy- lang.org/latest/html/documentation/grape....](http://docs.groovy- lang.org/latest/html/documentation/grape.html)

</comment></comment></comment><comment><USER5> There is a thing that was missed. You may have developed an application very quickly with ruby and go to market faster in 6 months, but you spend the next 5 years trying to fix performance issues with barely writing any new features.

</comment><comment><USER6> I am falling for Elixir. However, my big drawback that made me stay in Ruby is the community don't seem to like NoSQL solutions like MongoDB and you can feel it in the libraries and global architecture.

<comment><USER7> It's just that they have their own ways of expressing it, using things like ETS, DETS, mnesia, Riak-core, depending on your use cases and consistency requirements.</comment></comment>